By Asim Hussain
ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. Rongvudhi Virabutr Thursday called on Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Parliament House, Islamabad.
Talking to the Ambassador, Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan attached great importance to its longstanding, friendly and cordial relations with Thailand. He expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathy over the loss of precious human lives caused by the recent sea storm in Thailand.
Highlighting the potential for religious tourism in Pakistan, the Speaker said that Pakistan is a cradle of diverse civilizations, cultures, and religions. He said that every year a large number of Buddhist, Sikh, and followers of other faiths visit Pakistan to pay homage at their sacred sites. The Speaker said, Pakistan hosts several significant archaeological sites of the Gandhara civilization, which can play a vital role in promoting religious and cultural tourism.
Ayaz Sadiq said that climate change was a global and shared challenge and emphasized the need for collective and coordinated international efforts to address its impacts.
He said that Pakistan was providing equal opportunities to women in all spheres of life.
Ayaz Sadiq highlighted that Women Parliamentary Caucus in the National Assembly were playing an effective and proactive role in safeguarding women’s rights, welfare and protection.
The Speaker underscored the need to further enhance contacts and cooperation between Pakistan and Thailand, emphasizing that exchanges of parliamentary delegations would promote harmony and collaboration between members of parliament of both countries.
He also noted that the Pakistan-Thailand Parliamentary Friendship Group established in the National Assembly was playing an important role in strengthening inter-parliamentary relations.
Ambassador Mr. Rongvudhi Virabutr welcomed the Speaker’s proposals regarding the promotion of parliamentary ties and said that Pakistan was an important country in the region.
He said that Thailand valued its relations with Pakistan and expressed keen interest in social development projects in Pakistan, adding that several social development initiatives were currently underway in Pakistan with Thai cooperation.
The Ambassador emphasized the need to further expand cooperation between the two countries in economic, social and other sectors and reiterated Thailand’s desire to strengthen collaboration with Pakistan across multiple areas.
